New Years Eve Eve

There’s something about the arrival of a new year that I have always loved.  Not that I’ve ever made any major life changes just because it’s a new year, but the opportunity to do so, to have a clean slate, to start fresh and make whatever it is that you want to happen a reality is so enticing.

I think setting goals is fun because it’s kind of like that feeling you get when you make a long to-do list and then after items are accomplished, slash through them, and look back and see everything you accomplished. Does anyone else love that?

My biggest goal of 2010 was to run a marathon, and although it was such a feeling of accomplishment, it was so.freaking.hard!  I’ve been a runner for 13 years and had run 2 half marathons before I decided to go for the real deal.  As much as I’d like to do more distance running, my knees are still shot from overtraining, 8 months later.  Lessons learned from this goal are I can accomplish difficult tasks through hard work and dedication, but also to listen to my body and my gut when I start to see warning signs that a decision isn’t right.  It’s hard to admit, but in hindsight I should have stopped training about halfway through and not run that marathon.  But my pride and stubbornness, as usual, won.  Funny how that works :-)

Moving forward to goals for 2011.  I’m going to go easier on myself this year and recognize my limits, so no marathons or equally greulling fitness goals on the horizon for me.  Instead, here’s what I’ve decided.

1. Become a morning worker outer.  I’m already well on my way to this goal, thanks to my friend Diana - in October we started going to a 6 a.m. spin class together, usually twice a week.  As hard as it is to wake up at 5:20 a.m., I love the feeling of being done with my workout at 7:00, and also LOVE my nights after work now!  I’d like to start working out almost every morning in 2011.  

2. Start practicing yoga.  I’ve dabbled in yoga in the past through dvd’s, yogadownload.com, and a handful of classes at my gym.  Running has always been my stress release, and since that is really out of the question for a daily habit at this point I’m ready to jump full force into something else.  I feel as though not being able to run out the front door and pound out 5 miles whenever I want has taken a toll on my stress level and overall self confidence (which for me, is totally affected when I am stressed), and I am ready for a new fitness goal and outlet.  Yoga, here I come!

3. Have fun and live passionately!  I tend to get super stressed when I’m overcommitted, and I know that this character trait is not going to change, as much as I wish it would.  I’m really going to try to focus on enjoying all of the fun stuff life has to offer without feeling like there’s not enough time in the day/week/month to get everything done.  I have a lot of fun events to look forward to this year and can’t wait to share them with you!

4. Be authentic.  This is something I try to do always, so it’s not really a New Year’s resolution as much as an ongoing life goal.  Along these lines, I’m still working on the new direction Kitchen Ambition is taking, and am really interested in heading towards the direction of a healthy living and lifestyle blog.

So that's it! Happy New Year - be safe! Do you set New Year's Resolutions? If so what are they?